New and Experienced Climbers Over 50 #11

Helen, in response to you saying:

"... Earlier? Those plagues? Cycled through, a village at a time. People hunkered down, moved, died, or survived. But that was that... "

That's not QUITE true in regards to one memorable event, the Spanish flu, which was spread around the globe by returning soldiers.
It's the global travel that's the problem.

Here in South Aust most cases have been linked to cruise ships or travel groups. Now our borders are closed and we've locked down (albeit not as strictly as some countries) we've pretty much eliminated it.

I understand the hit to the economy but I'm astonished that people are actually campaigning about lifting restrictions.

Re Spanish flu, yes, travel spread it....but not overnight.

And, travelers are probably how many of us will get "vaccinated", like it or no, as states ease up restrictions, and/or people simply get tired of this and do what they want. Hopefully, that will happen slowly enough to leave space in hospitals for normal emergencies, and health workers to deal with it.

Lori, I think we all understand this can act quite differently from flu. Personally, and I'm guessing I'm not the only one, merely dieing is not the my worst fear. I wouldn't climb, if it was that simple, lol!

It's the things that can greatly diminish being alive that are unbearable. For me? I think Alzheimer's tops the list. That's what my mom died of.

That said? And to get back to a nicer place?

I bought an updated version of "Younger Next Year* for Women". I've skimmed, and I'm reading through also. I hate to admit it, but really, really, really, basic info is super helpful for me, in my ignorance! Harry's six rules. And a bit of filling that out. Thanks! Once I have a gym, maybe I'll get a trainer again....and consider some heavier lifting than what I can do with dumbbells.

Sadly, I lose the rower in a couple days. But, my climbing gym is set to open soon, yay oh yay oh yay!!! In the meantime? Muddle along...maybe even mow the grass once in awhile.

And Guy? Its totally friendly, that dirt road into the top side of City, and a nice drive. Until even a little water hits it. Then it's like ice.

But yeah, generally, my Honda even goes on what the BLM passes off as a road he here, lol! The Honda has "redneck pinstripes" from really narrow stretches through sagebrush. Oops.

Best, Helen

Old lady H wrote: R

I bought an updated version of "Younger Next Year* for Women". I've skimmed, and I'm reading through also. I hate to admit it, but really, really, really, basic info is super helpful for me, in my ignorance! Harry's six rules. And a bit of filling that out. Thanks! Once I have a gym, maybe I'll get a trainer again....and consider some heavier lifting than what I can do with dumbbells.

Best, Helen

Glad you got it Helen.  It is so very basic but perfect for most of our needs. And I love the humor.  It was just right for me at a time when I didn’t have much of a brain to work with—and I still follow Harry’s Rules to this day. Best of luck with it! 

Well, I am back to working now after my back surgery
And it's awesome to be almost pain free, compared to
what it was. I am practicing social distance tho.
I am washing just outside  windows and having the customer leave the money under the mat. I won't have to worry about washing my hands because my hands are in soapy water all the  time.  :-)

The Spanish flu spread around the globe within a matter of months. And the reason for that was not recreational travel as it is these days but returning service men and women. Quarantining these people was difficult because as you would imagine they just wanted to get home. I listened to an interesting ABC radio (Aust) documentary on this the other day.
Some of you might find the podcast interesting.

https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/lifematters/remembering-the-spanish-flu-pandemic-and-walking-together/12172648

Did a tiny little kettlebell workout today. Only about 5 minutes followed by some hanging knee raises. It's quite astonishing actually when I consider how weak with that sort of stuff (from when I regularly lifter weights 8 years ago) to what I feel I could do now, YET what I can do with climbing is so much more.
It's like, someone says "Hey, Carl, help me move this sofa inside" and you're as weak as fuck and struggling to do anything at all but say "Yeah but watch this, I can do ten chinups on your doorframe".
(just) climbing produces SUCH a narrow set of fitness in a way... For me at least.

Here are some ideas from UK Climbing on what to do during lockdown:

https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/features/10_climbers_youll_meet_virtually_in_lockdown-12752https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/features/10_climbers_youll_meet_virtually_in_lockdown-12752 

Have fun, stay safe.

Carl Schneider wrote: Did a tiny little kettlebell workout today. Only about 5 minutes followed by some hanging knee raises. It's quite astonishing actually when I consider how weak with that sort of stuff (from when I regularly lifter weights 8 years ago) to what I feel I could do now, YET what I can do with climbing is so much more.
It's like, someone says "Hey, Carl, help me move this sofa inside" and you're as weak as fuck and struggling to do anything at all but say "Yeah but watch this, I can do ten chinups on your doorframe".
(just) climbing produces SUCH a narrow set of fitness in a way... For me at least.

SO glad you posted this, Carl.     Fitness seems to be melting away here..  I resumed my old routine of a 3 mile pre-dawn walk every day.  Am I supposed to be OUT OF BREATH from a 3 mile stroll?  

I have no callouses left on my palm or fingers.  I guess I could be a girl again... but I'd rather have the callouses.  So... your fitness program sounds great.
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On another subject-- does anyone have NON-CLIMBING bucket list items?  If so, can you share?

I keep returning to surfing.  I really want to learn to surf this year... and I'm thinking that when it gets blazin' hot in the desert, we can cut over to the beach and take a few days to learn.  Sunset Beach, maybe?  Mission Beach?  The Wedge?    Maybe the Wedge would have to wait... probably the equivalent of an 11c.  One can dream...

Lori Milas wrote: 
On another subject-- does anyone have NON-CLIMBING bucket list items?  If so, can you share?

Not sure I think of it as a bucket list but, man, I'm anxious to get back to my secret surf hideaway in Mexico. Most of my yearnings while in quarantine have to do with missing experiences with certain people. That includes climbing, camping, mountaineering and just road tripping. It's odd, I fly so much on business normally that I just thought nothing of getting up in the morning, driving over to LAX and hopping on a flight to SFO or Sacramento for a meeting. Or getting on a redeye to London or Dubai. Now the thought of getting on an airline just seems intimidating and alien. That makes me sad.

Russ Walling wrote: The Wedge is usually about 10b.... then out of the blue it goes to 13b.  Bring a C collar if you go.

Heaven and Hell. All in one. 

Senor Arroz wrote:

Not sure I think of it as a bucket list but, man, I'm anxious to get back to my secret surf hideaway in Mexico. Most of my yearnings while in quarantine have to do with missing experiences with certain people. That includes climbing, camping, mountaineering and just road tripping. It's odd, I fly so much on business normally that I just thought nothing of getting up in the morning, driving over to LAX and hopping on a flight to SFO or Sacramento for a meeting. Or getting on a redeye to London or Dubai. Now the thought of getting on an airline just seems intimidating and alien. That makes me sad.

One of the few things I miss about work is the travel.  Got to go to so many cool places and meet so many interesting people, see cool stuff.  Also, with no kids and lots of vaca, all the cool trips resulted in vacation time.

Lori- bucket list, non climbing.

1,000 yard “Milk bottle” challenge, with the Garand. 

4x4 the Pioneer Trail- from Emigrant Pass in NV down the Humbolt sink to Death Valley. The “trail” is marked by graves and decomposing wagons. A friend of mine recommend that one, he said it’s unbelievable that people hauled/pushed/lowered wagons through that nightmare desert.

A 24” Brown Trout on dry fly, from the Secret Creek , my friend got one, I’m still about 10” short of that.

Get skis back under me.

Walk one mile.

Eat Lunch with Mario Andretti 

And lastly- a sub 1:09 lap of Big Willow!

I’d be happy to go home and die after completing those.

Guy Keesee wrote: Lori- bucket list, non climbing.

1,000 yard “Milk bottle” challenge, with the Garand.

Guy is there a 1000 yard range near you that you shoot at?  Michael used to go to one for high power matches near Sacramento.  He's actually at the range that's near us right now.

Guy Keesee wrote: Lori- bucket list, non climbing.

1,000 yard “Milk bottle” challenge, with the Garand. 

4x4 the Pioneer Trail- from Emigrant Pass in NV down the Humbolt sink to Death Valley. The “trail” is marked by graves and decomposing wagons. A friend of mine recommend that one, he said it’s unbelievable that people hauled/pushed/lowered wagons through that nightmare desert.

A 24” Brown Trout on dry fly, from the Secret Creek , my friend got one, I’m still about 10” short of that.

Get skis back under me.

Walk one mile.

Eat Lunch with Mario Andretti 

And lastly- a sub 1:09 lap of Big Willow!

I’d be happy to go home and die after completing those.

I love this bucket list!!!  

I wonder if Bob Gaines has insight on trout fishing on fly.  

As to your Pioneer Trail to Death Valley... I often laugh when we are driving around back roads in 29 Palms...  heading out to Amboy where it is godforsaken.  I imagine myself as a pioneer woman who has been sweet-talked by my husband to make the journey to the 'land of milk and honey'... and after weeks of suffering on the dirt roads finding our destination in endless desert.  I would be threatening YOU TAKE ME BACK HOME!      It would be a gas to take a class on that history, do some field trips.  

I'd love to make that trip, too,  Guy.  

No reason for this picture, other than... there once was some climbing (in March!), and I miss it a lot.   I think this year will become a year for leading (for me), but how could I ever give up routes that I just have to climb?  My lead skills may never be great.  I wouldn't pass up a route like this.  
​
Post your Happy Place pictures!  

The picture says it all

Can you believe my partner chose to go skiing yesterday instead of climbing?  Lots of snow above 6,400 ft around McCall, Jim had to get in one last day.  Climb rescheduled for Saturday.

Here's my bucket list, just one item, an extended road trip east of the Mississippi, where I've never climbed (except in Europe).  Objective: climb the classics in places like the Gunks, etc.  Maybe a two month trip.

Did something similar 2 years ago in Mexico, but it was only two weeks, supported by an AAC Live Your Dream grant.  We visited 8 different small areas seldom seen by US climbers.  The gem was  Mineral del Chico with the classics at Las Ventanas. Nice to be someplace where you have to speak the local language.

Anyone want to think about heading east once COVID-19 is behind us?  

wendy weiss wrote:

Dragons, I'm in a similar boat. My Mom, who lives 2,000 miles away from, took a bad fall on March 21st, spent 5 days in the hospital and was then moved into a nursing home. Of course I can't travel to visit her and no visitors are allowed anyway. As with your mother, it's hard to even talk to her because she's hard of hearing and has dementia. I do know that several people both in her previous community and at the nursing home (including staff) have covid-19 and those places are really struggling to keep it from spreading. 

https://nypost.com/2020/05/03/crowds-gather-to-buy-new-air-jordan-sneakers-in-atlanta-after-lockdown-lifted/Yes, it hits older people the hardest. But our neighbors have offered to look after my husband and me as the "elderly neighbors," so I feel very vulnerable and hoping not to die just yet. But, hey, people need to buy their Air Jordans. nypost.com/2020/05/03/crowd…

wendy, yep, we're in a very similar boat. My mom also went into a hospital early this year due to a medical emergency. And she was bumped from the hospital to a nursing home because it was determined she couldn't go back home after a week in the hospital. She certainly never wanted to go into a nursing home; who does, really? She wanted to die at home, in her sleep.

Guy Keesee wrote: Haha..... I don’t think you want to know, he is a realist- and it’s his bizz that’s tanking. 

You do know- after the bizz fails, people loose their jobs, (they)you loose the house, car, everything you have worked for. Most people I know would die trying to save theirs. 

If you could talk to your Mom, what would she say? I do hope she gets better. Edit- Wendy- good luck to your Mom

Guy, I don't feel anything special about my business. It's a business, not a person. And it's not highly successful. If it tanks, whatever. Maybe if I had a lot to lose, maybe I'd feel differently. I don't think so.

If I could talk to my Mom, she'd want to be back at home. Last time I talked to her, a few weeks ago, she was adamant: she was doing her PT dutifully in order to be returned back home as soon as possible. That's all that matters to her. She's not happy with her 3 hots and a cot. I don't know if she's cognizant of COVID-19. She's been tested for it, but I wonder if she remembers. Her short-term recall is bad. If I think about her personality, though, would she be okay with sacrificing her life so that everyone could run their businesses without worrying about the poor, elderly, and weak? No, I don't think so. She'd be among the first to make a sacrifice for the poor, elderly, and weak, even if it meant losing her house.